How George Harrison Inspired Led Zeppelin's 'Rain Song'

Led Zeppelin's 1973 album 'Houses Of The Holy' features the sprawling ballad 'The Rain Song,' now widely acclaimed as one of the band's finest moments. Initially reviewed critically, its rich textures and gentle diversity have since earned it widespread praise. The song's creation was sparked by a lighthearted comment from George Harrison to John Bonham, suggesting Zeppelin lacked ballads. This inspired Jimmy Page to compose 'The Rain Song,' even incorporating a subtle musical quote from Harrison's 'Something' in its opening chords. Page had demoed the music in 1971, later releasing this demo on the 50th anniversary of the album in March 2023.

Recorded at Mick Jagger's country manor, Stargroves, the track showcases intricate guitar work from Page and a masterful, restrained performance from Bonham, who initially used brushes. Robert Plant considered his vocal on 'The Rain Song' to be his absolute best, demonstrating restraint and power. The song's arrangement features a beautiful string orchestration by John Paul Jones, piano, Mellotron, and layered guitars. It remained a staple in Led Zeppelin's live set from 1972 to 1975, often performed using Page's iconic double-necked guitar.